IHI Corporation has signed a contract with Pratt & Whitney, a division of United Technologies Corporation (NYSE: UTX), to qualify components for the Japanese fleet of F135 engines that power the 5th generation F-35 Lightning II fighter aircraft.

Pratt & Whitney and IHI are also working on a series of industrial participation stand-up contracts for additional F135 capability and in-country F135 final assembly.

"Pratt & Whitney is proud of our long history of working together with IHI on military engines, starting with the F100 engine for the JASDF F-15 fleet more than 30 years ago," said Bennett Croswell, president, Pratt & Whitney Military Engines. "We have tremendous respect for the high-quality of work that IHI is known for, and we look forward to continuing our relationship for many years to come."

The Japan Ministry of Defense announced its selection of the F-35A as the JASDF next generation aircraft on Dec. 19, 2011, following the F-X competitive bid process. Japan selected the F-35A conventional takeoff and landing variant of the Lightning II through the U.S. Foreign Military Sales process. Following the announcement, the Japan Ministry of Defense selected IHI Corporation as the prime engine contractor for F135 engine industrial participation.

The F-35 was designed and built to counter the most advanced airborne and ground-based threats -- exactly the air defense environment that Japan faces. The F-35 possesses 5th generation capabilities that are not found on legacy 4th generation fighters: very low observable stealth coupled with full fighter performance, advanced sensors and sensor fusion, network-enabled operations and advanced sustainment. These attributes enable the F-35 to operate and survive in high threat environments, which will provide Japan with strong conventional deterrence and promote stability in the region.